Hot Girl Summer has officially transitioned to Cozy Girl Fall, and what says that better than curling up with a good book and a treat? We’ve gathered some fall recipes, movies, and nine different books divided into three autumnal-coded categories so you can join us in getting our spooky season on.
Chai Latte Books: These books are sweet, cozy, and just a little spicy; perfect for our fall drink lovers out there! The Ex Hex by Rachel Hawkins, Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman, and Kissing Kosher by Jean Meltzer are positively delightful reads, with each novel just making you want to curl up under a blanket and binge read ‘till dawn.
Dark Academia Books: What says fall more than dark academia? Since we’re not basic, here are three incredible dark academia books that are NOT The Secret History. Thank us later. If you like magic and secret societies, check out Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. Into creepy Y.A. vibes? Try The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones. And if you want to explore the blurry lines of heroes and villains, we couldn’t recommend Vicious by V.E. Schwab enough.
Heart Pounding, Edge-Of-Your-Seat Books: Of course, there are some of us who just love to be a little afraid. A creepy and gory novel, The Final Girls Support Group is a satirical look at our favorite slasher films. But if you want a psychological thriller that makes you whisper potty words beneath your breath, you should try Bunny by Mona Awad. And finally, if you want a highly rated, mass produced thriller, we bring you Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica.
Fun Fall Treats at Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts
Starbucks
New Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte – Rating: 5/5
Starting off strong, the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte is, according to Starbucks description, “a blend of black tea infused with cinnamon, other warming spices and milk, topped with a sweet pumpkin cream cold foam and a dusting of pumpkin spice topping.” Personally, I like to describe it as heaven in a cup. It’s the perfect blend for fall and gives you all the right vibes.
New Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso – Rating: 2/5
One would think that because of the name of this drink, it would be a fall staple. Wrong. The mixture of flavors in this drink is spectacular, however, they messed up when they decided to mix it with espresso. The espresso is way too strong and doesn’t blend well. I might be the wrong person to review this drink though, because I absolutely hate espresso. So if you love espresso, apples, and cinnamon, definitely try this drink!
Dunkin Donuts
Goldfish Dunkin’ Pumpkin Spice Graham– Rating: 3/5
When I first saw these at Target, I immediately grabbed them thinking they were about to be the best thing I have ever tasted. Was that true? No. Did they taste bad? No. They were good, but not mind blowing. In reality, the pumpkin spice flavor they advertised on the packaging was very bland. Save your money with this one. Do a DIY version, go buy some Scooby Snacks, and throw some pumpkin spice on them.
Chick-Fil-A
Caramel Crumble Milkshake– Rating: 5/5
We all know Chick-Fil-A has amazing milkshakes, but this new Caramel Crumble Milkshake is genuinely one of the best they’ve had. It’s a cold, creamy, caramel dream. There are no words to describe how perfect this milkshake is. You just have to go try it. This is a TRUE fall staple.
Spooky Movies:
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Fantastic Mr. Fox is none-other than my favorite comfort fall film. While I understand most people want to experience genuine terror in a horror film, I much prefer the cozy aesthetic and unique characters in this Wes Anderson classic. Not only does this movie have one of the greatest casts for an animated film (George Clooney, Marlyn Streep, Bill Murray, Jason Swartzman, Owen Wilson, etc.), but also includes some of the best dialogue and character arcs in film.
The Menu
Despite critics noting its lack of diversity, I really enjoyed this film. Not often do I find that a psychological thriller is done to the extent that this movie was. Because the setting remains the same for the majority of this movie, it was nice to really deep dive into its dialogue as well as its shocking plot. While I find a good meal to be comforting, this one was definitely leaving my stomach turning.
Get out
While Peele is more widely known for his newer movie “Nope,” “Get Out” exceeded my expectations greatly. With Peele being new to the directive game, I find that he is overlooked for all the wrong reasons. I would love to gate-keep him for myself, but that wouldn’t be doing him justice. The entirety of Peele’s movies are on the spooky side, but much like “The Menu,” it’s hard to find horror directors that include as many beautiful shots, incredible easter eggs, and mind-boggling symbolism that Peele is capable of. “Get Out” gives the perfect balance of head tilting and jaw dropping shock value.
